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The Herald and the War Department.

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March 3, 1862, Page 4 The New York Times Archives

On Saturday morning the Herald published intelligence of the advance of Gen. BANKS' Division into Virginia. The TIMES, and we presume other papers, had the same news, but suppressed it, in obedience to the order issued from the War Department. We respectfully demand of the Secretary of War either the revocation of his order, or else its enforcement against the Herald. If that paper is permitted thus to disregard it with impunity, nothing but the most flagrant favoritism can insist upon its being obeyed by other journals.

The publication by the Herald was most clearly in direct contempt and disregard of Mr. STANTON's order. That order forbid the publication of any military intelligence whatever, and a subsequent explanation specified especially all reports of the movements of our Army on the Potomac as coming distinctly within the prohibition. The Herald knew of this order -- had discussed its prohibitions, had pretended to respect them, and yet on the very first opportunity treats them with utter contempt. It publishes precisely what the enemy is most interested in knowing, and what our Generals are specially interested in concealing from them.

Whether the Herald did this for the express purpose of betraying our movements to the enemy or not, is a matter of no consequence. It has one correspondent locked up on charge of being a spy in Fort McHenry, and unquestionably it has many others still in the field doing active service. But we have a right to insist that it shall be held to the strict letter of its obligations and punished for their violation, or else that all its competitors shall be released from them. If this act is suffered to pass with impunity, Secretary STANTON's order simply cripples loyal journals, and aids, by the most direct and powerful means, this disloyal and mendacious sheet.

A version of this archives appears in print on March 3, 1862, on Page 4 of the New York edition with the headline: The Herald and the War Department. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe